Human Rights Council – 49th session

High-Level Segment

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland,

H.E. Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir

28. February 2022

It is my honor to address the Human Rights Council for the very first time.

As we meet today, a serious military conflict is ongoing in Europe.

In an unprovoked and brutal attack, Russia - a member of this esteemed body and a permanent member of the UN Security Council - has invaded the sovereign country of Ukraine, with all the destruction and human suffering a war entails.

This horrific war — the manifestation of a twisted worldview — is being fueled by the most sinister and low-based rhetoric. In fact the blatant lies that have been promulgated as justifications for these ongoing crimes are intended to appeal to the worst aspects of public discourse

What I speak of are:

xenophobia, discrimination, violent nationalism, and authoritarianism.

Fear of the other. Contempt for those who are - by choice or by nature - different and unique.

This war is explicitly waged in order to turn back the clock, to stop the advance of tolerance, understanding, peace - to take back the individual liberties and rights that the civilized world has adopted as its hallmark since the dark days of totalitarianism in Europe.

Autocratic Belarus, a regime that has shown utter disregard for human rights and liberties of its own people, has been enlisted as an enabler of this war.

And let’s be mindful that this war is not only against the people of Ukraine.

It is a part of an ongoing effort to sow discontent and suspicion against the values of democracy, freedom and human rights all over the world. This ideological battle is ongoing even in countries where those values have been firmly established for decades or even centuries.

And let us not forget - this war is also waged against the hopes and dreams of his own people, the people of Russia, who also suffer greatly and live in fear of what may come next. My thoughts are with them also.

Iceland strongly supports Ukraine´s call for an urgent debate and welcomes its approval this morning.

Mr President.

We have a sacred duty to promote and protect high ideals. These high ideals cannot be taken for granted.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight three key points.  

First of all, we need to be much more forceful in fighting the growing global pushback against human rights and democratic values. 

There is increased repression of religious and ethnic minorities, growing racism, and violent nationalism. Autocratic pressures and voices are on the rise, seeking to intensify political polarization and infringe on fundamental human rights.

These trends have been aggravated by the global pandemic, during which many of the basic rights we may have thought to be secured and guaranteed, have been curtailed and even undermined. 

Regrettably, too many governments have used the pandemic as an excuse to repress media, silence critics, and stifle open debate. This has been done on a scale, ranging from authoritarian regimes consolidating their power, to a less obvious slide-back in fundamental rights and freedoms, weakening the pillars of democratic societies. 

I believe there is reason to believe that a frank and honest assessment must be made about how easily fundamental rights were curtailed during the pandemic. This happened with limited public debate even in societies where respect for those rights were thought to be solidly entrenched in culture and the national identity. This worries me.

The pandemic was only the last crisis. Other crises will follow.  How well will we defend human rights when the next pandemic comes - or another type of crises that induce panic in the population.

Second, we must fight for an international order that is based on multilateralism and the rule of law. 

The international rules-based order forms the basis for states’ commitments to protect and respect the rights of their citizens and provides a platform for states to work together for peace, progress and prosperity.

The current Ukraine crisis threatens the rules-based international order with ramifications that go well beyond Europe.  Already innocent civilians are suffering, and lives are being lost. Every effort must be made to minimize human suffering. We must also ensure that the crimes being committed against the Ukrainian people be recorded and those responsible be held responsible.

This makes it even more urgent that we stand up for the fundamental principles of the rules-based international order, that we promote multilateralism and the rule of law and democracy.

Therefore, Iceland, has decided to run for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the term 2025-2027.

If elected, we will be absolutely resolute in our support for the council´s mandate and will not shy away from calling on all and any of the members of this Council to live up to their human rights obligations and commitments.

To my third and final point; as long as women and girls don’t enjoy the same human rights as men and boys, the world stands to lose.

We must continue advocating for the full and equal enjoyment of human rights for women and girls, including women's equal participation in political, economic, and social life, and not least sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.

Iceland is also determined to continue to push for the protection of the human rights of LGBTQI persons. Our position is crystal clear: human rights are universal and apply to all, whatever their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Mr. President,

Times like these highlight the critical importance of this Council.

We need to hold each other to account, learn from each other and be ready to change course accordingly – all with the common objective of promoting and protecting universal human rights for all.